The Fool’s Journey

Watch this video to see how the Major Arcana tells the story of the Fool’s journey, the series of significant life stages we all pass through in endeavors of personal growth and self-discovery.

The full transcript of the video is included below.

The Fool

The Fool is innocent and childlike. He is optimistic, open-minded, and eager to take on the world. He is called the fool because he’s naïve of the dangers and difficulties of the journey ahead.

This card’s number is zero because it exists outside of the Major Arcana – before the beginning and after the end. He has not yet embarked on the journey that will shape and develop him.

Before any venture in life, we embody the fool, basking in the naïve excitement of setting sail into uncharted seas.

The Magician

At the beginning of the Journey, the fool steps into the phase of the Magician. He represents a state of high potential as he can create anything. He has everything he needs at his disposal; he just needs to figure out how and where to focus his energy.

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is the subconscious, feminine force that guides him. In a word, the Intuition. This is in contrast with the conscious deliberation of the Magician.

The Empress

Next, the Fool encounters the Empress. The Empress is the warm motherly energy that nurtures him. It is mother Earth and speaks to his juvenile fascination with the world around him.

The Emperor

With the Empress as Mother, the Emperor is the father, and he displays leadership and authority. The Emperor is the energy that develops the Fool’s understanding of reason and cause-and-effect.

The Hierophant

As the Fool marches forth on his journey, he must come to understand societal norms, traditions, and fundamental education. Thus the Hierophant conveys these necessary learnings in the fool’s easy stages of evolution. 

The Lovers

Naturally, The Fool wants a romantic partner. That leads to the Lovers, which is unique from the previous stages of the journey which were all self-centered. Now, the Fool seeks to branch out to find another person. This requires that he is firm in his own beliefs and values to balance them with those of another person.

The Chariot

Reaching the Chariot, the Fool has matured into an adult complete with identity and willpower. He is now capable of setting a course and asserting himself on his environment. He proudly and confidently rides forth in a state of level-headed and focused execution.

 Strength

As he endures hardships along his conquest, he needs to summon Strength, the next card in the Major Arcana.

The Hermit

However, despite his strength, he is worn down by the ceaseless struggle. This incites a search for meaning within him. He starts asking existential questions driven by his desire for meaningful truth. He takes time in solitude to reflect, ponder, and introspect, thus embodying the Hermit.

Wheel of Fortune

In his deep questioning, he starts to understand how the Universe moves. The Wheel of Fortune represents the ever-turning wheel of the Universe. Although he knows he cannot fully understand the inner working of the Universe, he is empowered by his realization that he has purpose and destiny.

Justice

Next comes Justice. By evaluating his mission and analyzing his past, the Fool peers through the lens of right and wrong. He recognizes his transgressions and holds himself accountable for his actions; he will do better in the future.

The Hanged Man

The Truth is difficult and, in some ways, world-shattering. Comforting illusions give way to uncomfortable revelations. This presents a turning point for the Fool. He must either walk away from the truth and live an easy existence at a lower state of awareness. Or he can take the harder, high road towards deeper understanding.

In doing so, he eventually is overwhelmed. To avoid complete breakdown and to keep moving forward, there is only one option: surrender.

In letting go, in relinquishing control, the Fool embodies the Hanged Man. At first, he feels destroyed, like he has given up.

But then comes a major change. By releasing everything, he is no longer clogging the flow of the Universe. He is flowing with the natural order of things. He is open to and receives the support of his Inner Self. Instead of fighting, he is flowing. He moves much more gracefully, and with greater joy. Things start going much more in his favor. The way he is hanged puts his world upside down, yet he enjoys a state of profound peace.

Death

Following this revelation is Death. Not dying, but transition. He cuts away the attitudes and paradigms that no longer serve him. This purging of negativity makes way for him to connect with his Higher Self.

Temperance

Temperance is much-needed steadying in the Fool’s emotional tides. He has been through so much; with the tribulations, he’s faced have swung him wildly off kilter. But now, he can maintain emotional balance. He has matured enough that he is unshaken by the curve balls life throws at him.

The Devil

Everything seems to be going wonderfully, but then comes the greatest enemy of all: himself. The low-frequency darkness within The Fool is represented as the Devil. It includes negative attitude, destructive behavior, addiction, materialism, and so on.

While gratifying at first, it’s unfulfilling on a deep level. It begins to eat away at the Fool, consuming him.

 The Tower

The only thing that can free the Fool from this slavery to darkness is the sudden upheavel of the Tower. A major shock hits, destroying the structure that he built and was succumbing to. It is acutely painful, but the ravaging destruction of the Tower creates an opportunity for The Fool to unlock higher levels of consciousness.

The Star

With the Devil eliminated, the Fool comes into alignment with his higher self. His heart fills with hope, gratitude, and love. He is in harmony with the world, represented by the Star.

The Moon

The next card is the Moon. His contentment and elevated feelings have led him into a foggy dream state. He is disconnected from reality and enraptured by his fantasies and illusions.  

The benefit to this state is that he is more attuned to his intuitive and creative energies. But the price of all this is that he drifts into being lost and alone.

The Sun

Fortunately, the Sun rises and shines down on him. The enlightenment strikes him, and all of the illusions are driven out. The Fool is awakened and rife with joy, confidence, and power.

Judgment

Having achieved elevated consciousness and overcoming his ego. It is only now that his Judgment is fully clear. He is called to pursue the mission of his True Path. The Universe is on his side, joy flows through him, and he has clarity of what he must do.

The World

This completes the Fool’s evolution. He can now take on the World. He understands himself, his values, his gifts, and what he has to offer. Now he can bring about great prosperity and abundance.

By foolishly plunging himself into a daunting journey, he has risen to great heights and enlightened himself. He interacts with the World in a state of free play, driven by passion, and gracing all of those around him.

The Fool has inherited the World.